Linsky, Callahan drumming up votes

With less than three weeks to go before Election Day, both candidates in the race for the 5th Middlesex state representative seat are emphasizing the importance of retail politics. Whether standing outside supermarkets or knocking on doors, Democratic incumbent David Linsky and Republican challenger William Callahan say they are focused on reaching as many voters as possible before the Nov. 6 election.

With less than three weeks to go before Election Day, both candidates in the race for the 5th Middlesex state representative seat are emphasizing the importance of retail politics.

Whether standing outside supermarkets or knocking on doors, Democratic incumbent David Linsky and Republican challenger William Callahan say they are focused on reaching as many voters as possible before the Nov. 6 election.

"I would expect that the people of Natick, Sherborn and Millis will see me personally everywhere and that we will have volunteers knocking on doors and holding signs and … doing mailings and making telephone calls," said Linsky, who is seeking his eighth term on Beacon Hill. "We’re reaching out to voters in every way possible and conceivable."

Callahan said he has spent much of his time going home-to-home, an approach that helped him win a write-in campaign to make the general election ballot.

"What’s been very successful for me has been getting out in the community and knocking on the doors," said Callahan, a retired colonel with three decades of military experience. "I will continue to knock on a lot of doors. It allows me to meet constituents one-on-one and they can converse with me."

The two Natick residents have each also developed a social media presence and said they are spreading their messages even though no candidates’ forum or debate has been scheduled.

Callahan, who has emphasized the importance of improving fiscal accountability and increased transparency on Beacon Hill, said that message resonates with voters.

"It’s neither a Democratic nor Republican thing. It’s just common sense," said Callahan, who has spoken of the importance of bipartisanship. "… At this level I’m not necessarily sure it’s about Democrats vs. Republicans. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and working for constituents."

Linsky recalled meeting a Natick man whose daughter had cancer but wasn’t receiving sufficient nursing services from MassHealth. Linsky said he helped the family obtain adequate services, an action the father credited with saving the girl’s life, which is something Linsky said a rookie politician could not have accomplished.

"People understand that I have a proven record of results," he said. "We have nearly tripled aid to each city or town, brought in $36 million for the new (Natick) High School, brought in seed money for the new Community-Senior Center, … but most importantly we have delivered constituent services to over 1,000 families."

Callahan said most people have been receptive to his campaigning and some have invited him inside their homes for longer conversations, where personal connections are formed such as link to Norwich University – where he attended school – with a Sherborn family.

"Why wouldn’t you go out?" Callahan said, adding some residents have told him they haven't heard as much from his opponent. "It shows you’re working with (constituents)."

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(Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com.)